Ballinger Open Space
What began as a volunteer planting event in 2018 has grown into a much larger commitment for the Greenway Trust at Ballinger Open Space in Shoreline. Located in a high-density area with limited access to green space, the 3-acre Ballinger Open Space is the backyard for many families and individuals. Unfortunately, after decades of neglect, the open space was overrun by invasive weeds and trash hiding beneath blackberry. Volunteers, along with Greenway Trust staff, crews and AmeriCorps members, have been leading the effort to restore Ballinger into a healthy forest with strong biodiversity.
Although it may seem like a typical urban forest restoration project, this project has a unique partnership with City Forest Credits to develop Carbon+ Credits that not only quantify carbon sequestration, but also calculate the value of other environmental benefits like air quality. This project is in partnership with the City of Shoreline and City Forest Credits and is funded by King County Flood Control District, The Nature Conservancy’s Urban Habitat project, and pilot funding from Bank of America. The goal at the end of the 25-year project is to establish 2,000 trees on site which will help store an estimated 4,000 tons of carbon dioxide, or the equivalent of removing about 1,000 cars off the road for a full year!